From the outside you couldn’t tell it was four days until Christmas. There were no lights, no garland. No dancing snowmen or flashing candy canes. Felix had mentioned once and only once that maybe they should get some decorations for the house and that idea had been shot down.
“We’ll just have to take it down again in a few weeks, it’s a waste of effort.”
Maybe his mate did hate Christmas.
“All I want is to lie down for fourteen hours.” Claybourne parked the car and got out, slamming the car door shut.
Frowning, Felix watched as his mate, seemingly forgetting he existed, unlocked the front door, opened it, walked in and closed it behind him.
He crossed his arms and waited, tapping his foot. After ten minutes he came to the realization his mate had truly forgotten him and was probably asleep in bed. He got out of the car and walked to the front door. He turned the knob to discover it had been locked. Staring at the knob in shock he reached for his wallet and pulled out a single key. He unlocked the front door and marched right into the master bedroom. Sure enough, there was his mate in his lounge pants, face down, out like a light.
Motherfucker!
He debated waking his mate up but rejected the idea. Claybourne had worked hard last night bringing two new souls into the world, and he deserved a rest before he got his ass chewed out, and not in the good way either. Suddenly, feeling like a stranger in his own bedroom Felix grabbed the pajamas he had left draped over the chair and walked out.
He headed to the den and sat down on the sofa. He couldn’t get the soul-searing love he had seen between Kate and her mates out of his mind. Had his own mating fizzled already? Would having a child bring back that fire? That need to be with your mate more than you needed your next breath?
He sat cross-legged on their sofa and hugged the pillow to his chest. What could he do to bring back their passion? Maybe Claybourne was simply tolerating him. He couldn’t lose his mate. Not now. He looked around the house and realized that there was nothing of him in any of the rooms. If he packed up all his clothes and left, no one would ever know he had lived here. Disgusted, he threw his pajamas on the sofa beside him and stood up.
Claybourne was his mate and this was his home, dammit! If he wanted to celebrate Christmas, hang mistletoe and dancenaked to “Good King Wenceslas” then he was going to. Grabbing the car keys, he headed out the door.
“Thanks for the help, Rian, Sebastian,” Felix said, putting the last box of decorations in the car.
“Thanks for taking this stuff off my hands, it doesn’t really go with the feel I’m trying to portray.” Rian waved his hand at the princely way the pride house was decorated. It looked like something out ofBetter Homes and Gardens.
“I can’t believe you guys didn’t have any decorations.” Sebastian frowned.
“Hey guys, I gotta go check on my baked gingerbread ornaments. If you need any advice just text me a picture,” Rian offered, and ducked back inside.
“That man is a genius when it comes to decorating. Hey, quick question, did Rebecca make you pose for pictures?” Felix asked.
It was a good thing Rian had over-ordered, as that meant more free, high-quality decorations for him. Lucky!
“Yeah, she got most of the pride in the diner this morning, she has been all over town like a tiny camera Nazi,” Sebastian shook his head smiling before he eyed Felix.
“Is everything okay?” Sebastian asked.
Felix looked at his extremely pregnant best friend and decided now would not be the best time to share that he thought his mating was going down the toilet.
“Yup, I’m going to surprise Claybourne with a festive house when he wakes up. Maybe even bake some pie or something,” Felix said.
Sebastian’s frown deepened. “You? You want to bake? Okay, what is going on?” Sebastian demanded, crossing his arms.
“Nothing, just getting into the Christmas spirit,” Felix said cheerfully.
Sebastian smiled, nodded, then jumped up and put Felix in a headlock, raking his knuckles over his friend’s scalp. Not wanting to hurt the baby, Felix didn’t fight back.
“Ow fucker! No fair, you’re totally playing the pregnant card to avoid getting your scrawny ass kicked,” Felix yelled.
“Damn right, bitch. Now spill!” Sebastian said, tightening his grip.
“Fine! I think Claybourne is sick of me and doesn’t care if I’m there or not,” Felix yelled.
Sebastian released Felix and stepped back. “That’s not true. That man loves you to pieces,” Sebastian protested.
“He forgot me. Today, he forgot I was even in the car with him. He went into the house, locked the door, changed into his pajamas and went to sleep,” Felix mumbled.
“I amsogoing to kick his ass,” Sebastian growled.
